Organ and Tissue Donation

About a third of organs that could be donated are lost because potential donors didn't make their families aware of their wishes. Many of those waiting for an organ transplant in Canada die on the waiting list. So, if you're interested in donating your organs after you're gone, or if you want to make that decision for your children, there are certain steps you should make to ensure that it happens. Here are the details on becoming an organ donor in Canada.Donation basicsEvery province has its own way of keeping track of who wants to be an organ donor, however it's the next-of-kin who will give the approval in most provinces, whether you intended to be a donor or not. For this reason, it's vital that you discuss organ donation with your family so that they know your wishes in case of your death. Once you feel your kids are old enough, talk about organ donation with them, too. Who can donate?Everyone can consider themselves potential donors. Even if your organs can't be used, it's likely that you can be a tissue donor, giving anything from corneas to heart valves to a needy recipient. So make sure to give organ donation serious thought -- you could save lives.